Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go from the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing accidents with toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when needed.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to move around at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This makes it ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the home as well!
You should measure the door to ensure that you get the correct size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too large or too small, and your cat could be unable to use it.
Before doing anything but take a ruler and determine the width of the door in a variety of places along its edges. You should also determine the door's height in a few places. This is because doors that are too high could cause your cat to do a gymnast's routine every time they want to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for help if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They should be able to help you determine whether or the door you have is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to buy.
Draw the outline of the hole on the door once you have your measurements. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will prevent you from making an error that will cost you money in the long run!
Make sure you make the hole in the right location. If you are fitting the cat flap onto an outdoor door, it's vital that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or issues with the seal.
If you have a glass door it is best to delegate this task to a professional glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to come and go whenever they like without having to leave them home to themselves. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't good for your cat as well as you.
If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed from different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different as well. Make sure you check with the manufacturer if the door is compatible prior to installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may invalidate warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, however they can be difficult to install an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner prior to starting.
To ensure that your cat is able to access the door, you'll need take a measurement of their height. This is easier if they are asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too often. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This position can be outlined on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is composed of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage a glazier when installing your cat flap in the glass pane. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't then you can create one yourself using a sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door, then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the opening and won't slide open or close.
Then, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be labelled accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once you have the hole drilled, place the flap section up against it and push it out to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it is bound at any point, you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix it.
Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you're going to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that need to be removed to install the cat flap and be careful not to harm them during this process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door, and therefore will not have to worry about any of these issues. If your door is made from wood or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed then this will make it more difficult to complete the job.
cat flap installation near me is always advisable to seek expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential problems in the future. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged and could invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you've made your hole, put the flap to check whether it opens and is able to fit. If you notice any points that stick or catch or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit perfectly and open without difficulty. Make sure that the flap sits in a flush position with the door.
Some kits come with templates for this, however, even if yours does not, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line in order to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these will be the screws you'll use to fit it into the correct position.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then it can be more challenging. If you're not familiar with this, it's recommended that you hire an expert. They will also be able to determine if your door is suitable for installing the cat flap.
If you want to install a cat flap on composite doors, you need to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, keep in mind that it could be messy and even dangerous.
You'll need to use a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors rather than just the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous task, and you'll have to be extra careful to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's worth noting that it is much more difficult to make the door glass than in a uPVC door or solid wood door.